Officials: Cherry Hill woman led international drug ring

Oct. 17, 2013

Angel Rivera

Written by

Angelo Fichera

Courier-Post

Juan Cortez

An international drug trade investigation has led to the arrests of nine people — including two from Vineland, officials said Thursday.

Two other suspects, including an alleged leader, are from Cherry Hill, according to state police and the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office. Two others also are from the state.

The network, which officials say smuggled large amounts of cocaine into the country, was based in Jamaica and also operated in California.

A lengthy, multi-agency investigation dubbed “Operation Next Day Air” began in March 2011 after two packages, each containing four kilograms of cocaine, were seized from a Marlton mail center.

Officials say Andrew Davis, a 34-year-old from Jamaica, helped lead the network with the help of his 22-year-old brother, Kemar. The younger brother allegedly orchestrated transactions from Los Angeles.

Marsha Bernard of Cherry Hill was charged with leading the drug-trafficking network, among other offenses. Authorities said the 28-year-old received much of the cocaine and sold it to drug traffickers and customers.

An attorney representing Bernard refuted the claims, but declined further comment. Bernard currently is under house arrest after posting bail.

More than 26 kilograms of cocaine — valued at about $780,000 — two handguns and more than $600,000 in cash were seized as part of the operation.

Investigators documented meetings about the transfer of the cocaine and acted on several search warrants in the area, leading to the March arrests of several targets, including Bernard. The investigation continued until Andrew Davis’ arrest in September.

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